Attendance is the Key to Success

Numerous studies have shown that good attendance is essential to academic success. Shoreline Public Schools is joining a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the value of regular school attendance and focus on reducing chronic absenteeism in the new school year.

Chronic absenteeism is described as missing 10 percent of the school year—about 18 days—for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Chronic absence can have consequences throughout a child’s academic career, especially for those students living in poverty, who need school the most and are sometimes getting the least. Children who are chronically absent in kindergarten and first grade are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, and students who don’t read well by that critical juncture are more likely to struggle throughout elementary school. By middle school, it’s a warning sign that students will fail key classes and drop out of high school. A recent study found that students who were chronically absent in any year between 8th and 12th grade were over seven times more likely to drop out than students with better attendance.

To the right are tips you can use to help your student arrive to school on time every day. If there are barriers preventing your student from attending on time each day, please contact your school’s office to connect with staff and resources that can help.

What You Can Do:

Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

Set out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

Introduce your child to their teachers and classmates before school starts to help them transition.

Don’t let your child stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors or other parents for advice on how to make them feel comfortable and excited about learning.

Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor or another parent.

Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.